Suggestions

In order to enhance the sense of commonality and identity in Serangoon Gardens,

1. A community center should be established there. As Serangoon Gardens only have a Country club, which requires payment to be a member, not many residents would become one. A community center on the other hand, is much more affordable and residents can hold activities there. This would bond them together and ensure that most residents are on a common platform.



(http://www.pmo.gov.sg/content/pmosite/mediacentre/inthenews/primeminister/2011/January/residents_swing_inthenewyearwithpmlee.html)

2. More events should be held at Serangoon Gardens. Previously, in 2010, there was a Countdown to 2011 party held in Serangoon Gardens. As I had been there personally, I felt that it was an excellent bonding exercise as many residents came down and joined in the many games and activities held there. As it was an important event, in which even the Prime Minister took time to come down. As the residents would feel proud that such an important event was held at their neighborhood, it would enhance the place identity.

Common Space

A common space is formed when people of different income classes, nationalities and racial classes are able to come together. It is a physical space which can integrate these different people and disregard these common fault lines which normally separate people. In Serangoon Gardens, the common space is the numerous hawker centres which surround the neighbourhood. These places sell affordable and delicious food, which residents of varied races, nationalities, religions would frequent. It is a unique part of Serangoon Gardens and everyday, no matter rain or shine, many people would gather there and enjoy the delicious food. A mall (MyVillage) has also been set up and has many shops and restaurants where many go and relax and also buy daily necessities. Instead of a community center, a country club (Serangoon Garden Country Club) has been set up. Despite the drawback of needing to pay for membership, it has many facilities and over 3,600 members. The Country Club occasionally organizes activities which the members can join and bond together with each other.

Formation of a place identity (continued)

This laid-back estate with its uniquely rustic charm used to be home to many British settlers in the 1950s ,thus the presence of all British street names and English colonial designed houses which are still evident today, for example the characteristic red-roofed houses which is why the estate was previously fondly known as ‘ Ang Sar Lee’(the hokkien translation for red roof).After Singapore gained independence, majority of residents are now mainly upper middle-class income local Singaporeans who have called this place home for many years.

Let's take a look at a interview with a resident of Serangoon Gardens.

Although we do not see much Resident Committee nor grassroot activities in this estate as most residents are generally very private and value their own space. However, this uniquely private group of residents’ strong sense of community and belonging cannot be challenged when their interests are threatened as can be seen in the united and coordinated efforts to petition against the building of a foreign workers’ dormitory right at their door-step.The fear of losing the uniquely local Serangoon Garden identity and well-protected enclave of garden-village concept and culture was strong enough for the majority of residents to vote for the opposition party to show their discontent with the government for seemingly acting against their wishes.The sense of need to protect their common space was again evidenced when Serangoon Garden estate made news as being one of the first estate to be subjected to a ban against more establishment of restaurants as a result of residents complaining against the over-crowding,noise and pollution of their common space in this serene,private and peaceful estate.

Serangoon Garden is a classic example of an estate with a naturally evolving culture and identity shaped both by historical events and government policies.A previously mainly populated British estate in the colonial days to largely local residency, we are now again seeing the slow and gradual increase in European, Australian and American residents as a result of the government’s ‘open-door’ policy in the bid to attract foreign talent to Singapore, resulting in the building of international schools such as the French and Australian international schools in the vicinity of Serangoon Gardens.As a result of interaction and integration among these multinationals, the residents has also evolved to be more socially and politically aware , involved and vocal.

The formation of a place identity (Serangoon Gardens)

Serangoon Gardens


A place identity can be formed through various factors, such as from the residents, the physical characteristics, intangible aspects and the history of that particular area. All of these contribute and strengthen an area's identity. Firstly, I shall talk about Serangoon Garden's physical characteristics.






As you can see from the above, most of the houses in Serangoon Gardens are landed property. Despite being a low -population density estate, Serangoon Gardens is home to branches of all major banks, tuition centers, specialty and niche shops, numerous restaurants, hawker centre, market and even a shopping mall! Majority of these are new establishments to cater to the young new generation Serangoon Gardeners,yet some shops have been around for past 50 years, almost as old as this estate itself(one of the oldest estate in Singapore!) These physical aspects set Serangoon Gardens apart from other estates as it has several unique aspects. Therefore, the residents in Serangoon Gardens take great pride in the identity of their home and are noted to be fiercely protective of their common space and estate.





When you first think about Serangoon Gardens, many intangible aspects of it come into mind. The famous hawker center "Chomp Chomp", which had several award winning stalls and is popular among Singaporeans. The famous "Circles" is also one of the attractions of Serangoon Gardens. As its name suggests, the road is circular right at the hub of the estate, with many shops and restaurants surrounding it. With so many facilities in Serangoon Gardens including a feeder bus service plying the roads ,it is truly a self-sufficient estate, with all the above forming common spaces for the to gather,integrate and bond.